Caged floating seal assembly

ABSTRACT

A seal assembly establishes sealing engagement with a plurality of differently dimensioned instruments passing through a trocar. The seal assembly is a caged seal assembly movably disposed within the trocar and includes at least two seal segments disposable into and out of a sealing orientation relative to the instrument. A cage structure of the seal assembly includes at least two cage segments each connected to a seal segment, a biasing assembly connected to the cage structure and disposed and structured to normally bias the seal segments into sealing orientation.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to, and is a divisional application ofpending U.S. application Ser. No. 14/339,840, filed Jul. 24, 2014, whichis a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/790,164, filed May 28,2010, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,821,445, which is a continuation ofU.S. application Ser. No. 11/892,814, filed Aug. 27, 2007, now issued asU.S. Pat. No. 7,731,695, which claims priority to U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 60/840,174, filed Aug. 25, 2006 and U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 60/852,583, filed Oct. 18, 2006. This application claimspriority to each of the above-mentioned applications and the disclosureof each above mentioned application is hereby incorporated by referencein its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to medical devices. Moreparticularly, the present invention relates to seal assemblies fortrocars and like instruments.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a caged seal assembly that is floatinglymovable within a trocar or like device and intended for useindependently of, but preferably, in combination with another sealassembly, which is also floatingly movable within the trocar. As such, avariety of medical instruments can be utilized with the presentinvention, so as to introduce and/or access the body cavity of apatient, regardless of the fact that each instrument may have adifferently sized outer diameter, which would typically fall into arange of generally about 5 mm to 12 mm. Moreover, the caged sealassembly is structured to automatically assume either a non-sealingorientation or a sealing orientation, dependent at least in part on thesize of the instrument passing through the trocar assembly.

Laparoscopic surgery has become quite common in recent years as itgenerally avoids several significant drawbacks associated with previoussurgical methods. Those methods involved the making of large incisionsinto a patient's body so as to give the surgeon clear and unobstructedvisual access to the targeted organ(s) or anatomical tissue of thepatient for the surgical procedure involved.

In stark contrast, the currently favored surgical technique oflaparoscopy involves the forming one or more small entry sites in thepatient's abdominal wall for accessing his or her body cavity, using atrocar or like device to provide a working channel, and performingsurgery on the targeted organ(s) or tissue via a medical instrumentinserted into the trocar or like device. Following this type of surgery,patients usually experience significantly less pain and recover muchmore quickly than when the older surgical methods were used, and as aresult, the minimally invasive procedures of laparoscopy have becomewell accepted in the medical field.

The trocar used in performing laparoscopic surgery typically includes anelongated tube or cannula, and the formation of the small surgical entrysite(s) usually involves the insertion of an obturator with a sharpdistal tip within the trocar and then pushing through the abdominaltissues until the wall or thick lining of the abdominal cavity ispunctured. There are other techniques for making what is known as this“first stick” that do not involve using an obturator with a very sharptip, as these can inflict damage by inadvertently nicking or puncturingan organ during insertion. Regardless, once the abdominal cavity hasbeen reached, the obturator is usually removed from the trocar cannula,whereupon the abdominal cavity is inflated with a suitable gas, such ascarbon dioxide, to provide space within the abdomen for the surgery totake place. The trocar cannula or like device remains in place at theentry site(s) and functions as a working channel across the abdominaltissues and thick lining of the abdominal cavity, and into that cavity,such that relatively thin and long handled instruments, includingforceps, scissors, retractors, dissectors, etc., as well as a tiny videocamera and light source, which are all specifically designed for thispurpose, may be inserted through the trocar, although there will oftenbe more than one trocar in place during surgery. While positioned in atrocar, the chosen medical instruments are manipulated by the surgeoninto contact with the patient's organ(s) or anatomical tissue involvedin the procedure.

As noted above, during laparoscopy the patient's abdominal cavity istypically insufflated, usually by the attachment of a source of gas tothe trocar assembly, which gas is forced under pressure into theaccessed abdominal cavity. Once that cavity is inflated, it is importantthat the fluid pressure within the body cavity be maintained in order toprovide the needed access to the internal organs, as well as adequateroom for visual observation during the surgical procedure. Therefore, itis important to prevent the escape of pressurized fluid from within thebody cavity, back through the cannula and/or housing associated with thetrocar. This is commonly achieved by the use of valves or sealingmechanisms within the trocar, and both “septum” valves and “zeroclosure” valves are used for this purpose. For example, it is known touse “septum” valves located at the proximal end of the trocar, usuallywithin the housing of the trocar, to form a seal around the outersurface of a medical instrument which has been inserted within thetrocar. However, these types of seals will not usually prevent theescaping of gas once a medical instrument has been removed from thetrocar. As such, it is also known to provide trocars with a “zeroclosure” valve to prevent gas from escaping when there is no medicalinstrument present within the trocar.

First, and as indicated above, laparoscopic surgery can involve avariety of medical instruments during any given surgical procedure andthere are also a number of manufacturers of such instruments.Accordingly, among other things, the outer diameters of these medicalinstruments can and do vary. For example, it is quite common for theouter diameters of such medical instruments to vary within aconventionally current range from about 3 mm to 15 mm.

This fact, however, presents an obstacle for preventing the escape ofgas by a septum-type valve because such valves typically accommodate andeffectively seal against medical instruments having a comparativelysmall and relatively limited range of outer diameters. This limitedeffective dimensional range may cause some disruption in the performanceof the surgery. For example, the septum valve seal will not performadequately when a medical instrument having a smaller outer diameterthan the set size offered by the septum valve must be used. During suchan occurrence there is a strong possibility that some insufflation gaswill escape thereby necessitating the abdominal cavity being inflatedagain. As another example, if a medical instrument having a much largerouter diameter which is beyond the size of the valve within the trocar,there may be an unacceptable drag or friction force exerted on theinstrument during its insertion into or removal from the trocar and/orwhile its is being manipulated during surgery. Further, the septum valvemay become ripped, torn or otherwise damaged, leading to a loss ofinsufflation gas and/or a need to replace the trocar, etc. duringsurgery.

Known attempts to solve these problems have resulted in the provision ofattachment devices for the trocar, which provide another or supplementalseptum valve to accommodate the use of medical instruments havingdifferently sized outer diameters during surgery. However, such devicesmust still be manipulated and/or somehow attached to the trocar topermit use during surgery. The required manipulation of them also has atendency to interrupt the surgical procedures, at least somewhat, andfurther, can prove to be cumbersome and/or challenging, especially ifthe hands of the medical personal are wet, bloodied, slippery, etc.

In addition and as also noted above, during at least some laparoscopicprocedures the trocar remains inserted through the patient's abdominalwall and into the abdominal cavity, so as to act as the working channelinto which the various medical instruments are inserted or removed.However, during such procedures, the trocars are often disposed ormanipulated to assume various angles such as an angularly, off-setposition relative to the trocar. As such, the instrument could well bedisposed out of axial alignment with the central axis of the trocarhousing, as well as any septum valve or other valve assembly associatedtherewith. Again, the undesirable result may be a disruption in theperformance of the surgery. Further by way of example, known septumvalves are commonly made of a very thin, flexible material which can bepunctured or ripped when a medical instrument is inserted at a skewedangle. This, in turn, can result in the loss of insufflation gas duringsurgery and a resulting delay if the trocar must be replaced. Also,while a surgery is in progress the manipulation of medical instrumentswithin the trocar has been known to cause the septum valves to become“egg-shaped” which also typically results in the loss of someinsufflation gas. Despite the recognition of these and otherdisadvantages and problems and the numerous attempts to address them,there remains an appreciable need for an improved mechanism or assemblyfor sealing the outer surface of medical instruments used in trocars orlike devices. Any such improved sealing mechanism should be suitable forand readily used with a trocar assembly or like device, and further,should effectively maintain insufflation pressure within a patient'sbody cavity, once it has been accessed and inflated. Any such improvedsealing mechanism should also accommodate and/or facilitate theintroduction of medical instruments into the trocar, even when orientedin an angular, off center orientation relative to the longitudinal axisof the trocar and/or the inlet port associated therewith, and shouldalso resist the formation of ovals or “egg-shapes,” especially when themedical instrument is being forcibly manipulated and otherwise usedduring surgery.

Further, any such improved sealing mechanism should be structured toprevent or significantly reduce the possibility of damage thereto,especially when the seal assembly comes into contact with the distal endof a medical instrument being introduced. Any such improved sealingmechanism should also be capable of accommodating a number of medicalinstruments of various outer diameters, such as, but not limited to,those falling within a currently conventional range of about 3 mm to 15mm. Ideally, any such improved sealing mechanism would also accomplishall of the foregoing without creating excessive drag or friction on themedical instrument while it is being inserted into or removed from atrocar or otherwise moved about during performance of a surgery.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The foregoing needs are met, to a great extent, by the presentinvention, wherein in one aspect an apparatus is provided that in someembodiments provides a caged seal assembly which establishes sealingengagement with a plurality of differently dimensioned instrumentspassing through a trocar. The seal assembly is a caged seal assemblymovably disposed within the trocar and includes at least two sealsegments disposable into and out of a sealing orientation relative tothe instrument. A cage structure of the seal assembly includes at leasttwo cage segments each connected to a seal segment, a biasing assemblyconnected to the cage structure and disposed and structured to normallybias the seal segments into sealing orientation.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a sealassembly is structured to establish sealing engagement with differentlydimensioned instruments passing through a trocar. A caged seal assemblyis movably disposed within the trocar in receiving relation to aninstrument passing therethrough. The caged seal assembly includes atleast two seal segments disposable into and out of a sealing orientationrelative to the instrument. The caged seal assembly is dimensioned andconfigured to establish sealing engagement with instruments within apredetermined dimensional range. A cage structure including at least twocage segments each connected to a different one of said seal segments, abiasing assembly is connected to the cage structure and disposed andstructured to normally bias said seal segments into said sealingorientation. The cage structure and the biasing assembly arecooperatively structured to dispose said seal segments out of saidsealing orientation upon passage therethrough of an instrument sizedgreater than said predetermined dimensional range.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a sealassembly is provided for sealing engagement with differently dimensionedinstruments passing through a trocar. A caged seal assembly includes aplurality of caged segments movably connected to one another. The cagedseal assembly includes a plurality of seal segments each connected to adifferent one of said cage segments and movable therewith between asealing orientation and a non sealing orientation relative to aninstrument passing through said caged seal assembly. A biasing assemblyis connected to said cage segments and disposed and structured tonormally bias said seal segments into said sealing orientation. At leastsome of said cage segments include a guide portion formed of a materialhaving a predetermined rigidity and disposed in an exposed positionrelative to an instrument passing through said caged seal assembly. Theplurality of cage segments and the biasing assembly are cooperativelystructured to facilitate disposition of said seal segments out of saidsealing orientation upon passage therethrough of an instrument having apredetermined greater size than said predetermined dimensional range.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, certain embodiments of theinvention in order that the detailed description thereof herein may bebetter understood, and in order that the present contribution to the artmay be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional embodimentsof the invention that will be described below and which will form thesubject matter of the claims appended hereto.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of theinvention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited in its application to the details of construction and to thearrangements of the components set forth in the following description orillustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of embodiments inaddition to those described and of being practiced and carried out invarious ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology andterminology employed herein, as well as the abstract, are for thepurpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conceptionupon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basisfor the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carryingout the several purposes of the present invention. It is important,therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalentconstructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope ofthe present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1 and 1A are perspective views of representative types of trocarassemblies with which various preferred embodiments of the seal assemblyof the present invention may be used.

FIG. 2 is an interior, cross sectional view of a preferred embodiment ofthe seal assembly of the present invention.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view one type of seal structure which may beincorporated, at least in part, in the various components of the sealassembly as represented in FIG. 2.

FIG. 2B is a sectional view of an embodiment generally similar to thatof FIG. 2A.

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of a caged seal assembly, disposed ina sealing orientation and which may define a portion of the embodimentof FIG. 2 and/or may further define an embodiment to be usedindependently.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of FIG. 3disposed in a non-sealing orientation.

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of one seal segment associated with thepreferred embodiments of FIGS. 3 and 4.

FIG. 5B is another perspective view of the seal segment embodiment ofFIG. 5A.

FIG. 6 is a perspective interior view of a cage structure associatedwith and defining at least a part of the embodiments of FIGS. 2-4.

FIG. 6A is an interior perspective view of one cage segment associatedwith the embodiment of FIG. 6.

FIG. 6B is an exterior perspective view of the cage segment representedin FIG. 6A.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing both interior and exterior portionsof a seal segment.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of a cagestructure which may be utilized with the embodiments of FIGS. 2 and 3.

FIG. 9 is a perspective interior view of one embodiment of a biasingassembly which may be associated with either of the preferredembodiments of FIGS. 2 and 3.

FIG. 10 is a front perspective view of another preferred embodiment of acaged seal assembly in an open or non-sealing orientation functionallysimilar to but structurally distinguishable from the embodiment of FIGS.3-4.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view of a portion of the caged seal assembly ofthe embodiment of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a front perspective view of a partially assembled cage sealassembly of the embodiment of FIGS. 10 and 11.

FIG. 13 is a side perspective view of a partially assembled cage sealassembly of the embodiment of FIGS. 10-12.

FIG. 14 is an opposite side perspective view of the embodiment of FIG.13.

FIG. 15 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a biasingassembly for use in a cage seal assembly.

FIG. 16 is a rear perspective view of the embodiment of the biasingassembly illustrated in FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 is an aerial view of the embodiment of the biasing assemblyillustrated in FIGS. 15 and 16.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention is intended to present a solution to these andother long felt needs in this field of art, and as such, relates to aseal assembly including a caged seal assembly primarily structured to beused with a trocar or like device. The caged seal assembly isoperational independent of, but preferably in combination with, anadditional seal assembly, also defining a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention, and disposed along a common instrument path withinthe trocar. As such, the combined caged seal assembly and the additionalseal assembly facilitates the sealed passage of medical instrumentsthrough the trocar, so as to prevent the escape of insufflation gas suchas during laparoscopic surgery. The seal assembly of the presentinvention is directed to what is accurately and descriptively referredto herein as a movable or “floating” and/or “caged” seal assembly, thefeatures of which are discussed in detail hereinafter.

More specifically, the various preferred embodiments of the sealassembly of the present invention are structured to establish sealingengagement with any one of a plurality of differently dimensionedmedical instruments passing through a trocar, wherein the instrumentsand the trocar are of the type commonly used in laparoscopic surgery. Asset forth herein, the seal assembly of the present invention comprises acaged seal assembly movably, or more specifically, “floatingly” disposedwithin the trocar along an intended path of travel of an instrumentpassing through the trocar and in receiving relation to that instrument.

The caged seal assembly includes a plurality of seal segments,preferably two in number, which can be “automatically” disposable intoand out of a sealing orientation with the exterior surface of theinstrument passing through the trocar and through the caged sealassembly. As will be described in greater detail hereinafter, thesealing orientation of the caged seal assembly comprises the two sealsegments collectively disposed in engaging and surrounding relation toan instrument passing there through. When the seal segments are sopositioned, a substantially fluid tight seal is formed about thecorresponding exterior surface of an instrument, having an outerdiameter of an appropriate size, thereby preventing or significantlyreducing the possibility of the escape of insufflation gas used in theaforementioned laparoscopic surgery.

In order to facilitate disposition and maintenance of the seal segmentsin the aforementioned sealing orientation, the caged seal assembly ofthe present invention includes a cage structure including a plurality ofpreferably, at least two cage segments. Each of the cage segments isconnected to a different one of the preferably two seal segments in asubstantially fixed manner so as to be movable therewith. Accordingly,both the seal segments and corresponding ones of the cage segmentsconnected thereto are concurrently movable into either a sealingorientation or a non sealing orientation dependent, at least in part, onthe size of the instrument passing through the caged seal assembly.

In order to accomplish the substantially “automatic” disposition of thecaged seal assembly between the sealing orientation and the non-sealingorientation, the present invention further includes a biasing assembly.The biasing assembly is connected to the cage structure and disposed andstructured to normally bias the seal segments, by virtue of their beingconnected to the seal segments, into the aforementioned sealingorientation. The structure and disposition of the biasing assembly issuch as to normally bias the cage segments and the corresponding sealsegments attached thereto into a “closed” position, thereby allowing theseal segments to assume the sealing orientation. However, the variousembodiments of the biasing assembly and present inventive apparatusfacilitate the disposition of the seal segments and the cage segmentsattached thereto into the aforementioned non-sealing orientation, suchas when a large instrument forced through the caged seal assembly.

More specifically, the disposition of the caged seal assembly in thenon-sealing orientation is a result of an instrument passing through thetrocar, along the intended instrument path of travel, such that theinstrument will pass through and/or between the seal segments. However,the caged seal assembly of the present invention is specificallydimensioned, configured and structured to establish sealing engagement,and thereby assume the sealing orientation with any one of a pluralityof instruments which are sized to be within a predetermined dimensionalrange such as, but not limited to, between generally about 3 mm andgenerally about 5 mm. If a significantly larger instrument attempts topass through the caged seal assembly, the biasing assembly associatedwith the cage structure will allow an opening or separation of the sealsegments out of the sealing orientation and into what is referred to asthe non-sealing orientation. However, upon removal of the largerinstrument from the caged seal assembly, the biasing assembly connectedto or otherwise associated with the cage structure is arranged,structured or configured to force or bias the cage segments back into aclosed configuration. The closed configuration of the cage segmentsforces or biases the seal segments back into a sealing orientation so asto again be disposed to receive and sealingly engage an appropriatelydimensioned instrument which passes through the trocar.

As set forth above, a preferred embodiment of the seal assembly of thepresent invention comprises the caged seal assembly being operativelydisposed on or within a trocar structure in combination with asupplementary or additional seal assembly. As such, the seal assembly ofthe present invention demonstrates a greater versatility by establishinga sealing engagement with any one of a plurality of instruments havingan increased dimensional range than that for which the caged sealassembly may be dimensioned, configured or structured.

Moreover, the versatility of the seal assembly of the present inventionis significantly enhanced by virtue of the establishment of sealingengagement with the exterior surface of various instruments passingthrough the trocar which have both relatively small and relatively largedimensions. As set forth above, the caged seal assembly may bestructured to establish sealing engagement with relatively smallinstruments such as, but not limited to, a dimensional range ofgenerally about 3 mm to generally about 5 mm. However, during a typicallaparoscopic surgical procedure, the medical personnel may require theneed or use of a significantly larger instrument, such as, but notlimited to, a dimensional range of generally about 10 mm to generallyabout 15 mm. Utilization of a larger instrument having a dimensionalrange, larger than that intended for use with the caged seal assembly,would normally cause significant drag and/or frictional engagement beingexerted on the instrument as it passes through the caged seal assemblyand/or is manipulated by the medical personnel during the surgicalprocedure.

Accordingly, such problems are overcome by the provision of theadditional or supplementary seal assembly and the ability of the cagedseal assembly to “automatically” assume the non-sealing orientation,wherein it is disposed out of sealing engagement with the largerinstrument passing there through. When the seal is in the non-sealingorientation it adds very little friction to the sealing system when alarger instrument is inserted. More specifically, the additional sealassembly is disposed, dimensioned, configured and structured toestablish sealing engagement with an instrument having a largerdimensional range, such as, but not limited to, the aforementioned 10 mmto 15 mm range. Therefore, when such a larger instrument is passed intothe trocar, sealing engagement is established between the additionalseal assembly and the larger instrument. Further, the additional sealassembly is located along a common, intended path of travel of theinstrument as is the caged seal assembly. Therefore, when the largerinstrument passes into and through the caged seal assembly, cooperativestructuring and disposition between the cage structure and biasingassembly will allow an opening or separation of the two seal segmentssuch that they will be “forced” out of a normal sealing orientation.Moreover, positioning and manipulation of the larger instrument will befacilitated by virtue of the establishment of sealing engagement betweenthe additional or supplementary seal and the exterior surface of thelarger instrument.

This established sealing engagement will be sufficient to eliminate orsignificantly reduce the escape of insufflation gas even though thecaged seal assembly is not disposed in a sealing orientation relative tothe exterior surface of the larger instrument. It is emphasized that thecaged seal assembly and the additional or supplementary seal assemblyare intended to establish sealing engagement with generally differentlysized instruments. However, it should be recognized that there may be adimensional range of instruments that may be sealed by both the cagedseal assembly and the additional seal assembly. In the examplesdescribed herein, the dimensional range of such instruments would besomewhat larger than generally about 5 mm and somewhat smaller thangenerally about 10 mm.

The function and operation of the seal assembly, when the caged sealassembly is used independently of or in combination with the additionalseal assembly is significantly enhanced by movably and more specificallyfloatingly disposing both the caged seal assembly and the additionalseal assembly on or within the trocar and along a common path of travelor passage of an instrument passing through the trocar. Such floatingmovement facilitates the maintenance of a sealing engagement with one orboth of the caged seal assembly and/or additional seal assembly with aninstrument passing there through even when the instrument, due tomanipulation during the surgical procedure, is orientated at a severeangled or skewed orientation.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will become more clear when the drawings as well as thedetailed description are taken into consideration, in which likereference numerals refer to like parts throughout.

FIGS. 1 and 1A are representative trocar structures with which the sealassembly of the present invention may be utilized. However, asemphasized herein, the various preferred embodiments of the sealassembly of the present invention are not intended to be limited for usewith a single type of trocar. Accordingly, for purposes of clarity therepresentative trocar assemblies are generally indicated as 10 and 10′and each include a housing 12 having at least partially hollow interiorsdimensioned and configured to include various valving and/or sealingstructures. In addition, the housing 12 may include one or more inletports or valves generally indicated as 13 structured to introduce and/orremove insufflation gas. When introduced into the trocar, theinsufflation gas passes into the housing 12, along an elongated barrelor cannula 14 and out through the open distal end 16 of the cannula 14.As is also common surgical practice, the trocar and in particular theopen end 16 and the barrel 14 will penetrate the body of the patient,such as by employing an obturator of some type assembled with thecannula, and enter the abdominal cavity or other area in which thelaparoscopic surgery is to be performed. In addition, each of therepresentative trocar assemblies 10 and 10′ include an end portiongenerally indicated as 18, which may be a part of the respective trocarassemblies 10 and 10′ or may be removably or otherwise attached theretoin operative position.

As best represented in FIG. 1A, the portion 18 may include an inlet orlike opening 20 for the introduction of one or more individualinstruments into the interior or the trocar housing so as to facilitateits passage along the interior of the cannula 14 for eventual entry intothe body cavity of the patient. As the instrument passes through thehousing 12 and/or end portion 18 it will engage one or more sealingstructures which prevent or significantly reduce the escape ofinsufflation gas commonly used in laparoscopic surgery for the expansionof the body cavity in which the surgical procedure is being performed.With specific relation to the seal assembly 30 of the present invention,which is described in greater detail hereinafter, its placement will belocated within an appropriate portion of the housing 12 and/or endportion 18. Also the seal assembly 30 will be disposed along an intendedpath of travel of the instrument as it passes into the inlet or opening20, through the housing 12, end portion 18 and along the length of thecannula 14.

FIG. 2 represents a preferred embodiment of the present invention andcomprises the seal assembly 30 mounted within an appropriate portion ofthe trocar housing 12′ and/or end portion 18′. Further, the varioussealing components of the seal assembly 30 will be mounted along and atleast partially define the intended path of travel of an instrument asit passes into and through the trocar 10 or 10′. Therefore the sealassembly 30 comprises a caged seal assembly generally indicated as 32which may be used independently but preferably in combination with asupplementary or additional seal assembly generally indicated as 34.

With reference to FIGS. 2, 2A and 2B, the additional or supplementaryseal assembly 34 is movably or “floatingly” disposed along the path ofinstrument travel within the interior of a compartment or cavitygenerally indicated as 35. One example of the supplementary sealassembly is disclosed in FIGS. 2A and 2B, and may include a single sealcomponent generally indicated as 37 having a body portion 39 having anelastic material base 43 disposed in surrounding relation to a centralchannel generally indicated as 50. Upon entry into the trocar 10 and/or10′, an instrument passes along the aforementioned path of instrumenttravel and through channel 50. The base 43 and the channel 50 includeinterior surfaces 52, which are disposed, configured and dimensioned tosealingly engage any of a plurality of instruments which have asufficiently large transverse dimension.

As will also be explained in greater detail, the structuring of the sealcomponent 39 of the supplementary seal assembly 34 is such toaccommodate, through the establishment of sealing engagement withinstruments, a specifically larger dimensional range than that of thecaged seal assembly 32. The structuring of the caged seal assembly 32and the supplementary seal assembly 34, 39 to accommodate instruments ofdifferent dimensional ranges is important to the versatility andfunctioning of the seal assembly 30. Such versatility is furtherenhanced by the substantially inline relation of the caged seal assembly32 and the supplementary seal assembly 34, 39 to one another relative tothe intended path of travel of an instrument passing through the trocar10 and/or 10′. Moreover, because of this specific inline alignment, thecaged seal assembly 32 and the supplementary seal assembly 34, 39 may beconsidered to be at least partially or temporarily disposable in coaxialalignment with one another and with a central longitudinal axis of thehousing 12′ and/or end portion 18′, even though both of these sealassemblies are movable in a floating manner, as described in greaterdetail in a currently pending namely, U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/375,540 filed on Mar. 14, 2006, and its namely, parent applicationSer. No. 10/424,564 filed on Apr. 28, 2003 which matured into U.S. Pat.No. 7,011,314, both by the inventor herein, and both of these documentsbeing incorporated herein in their entirety by reference.

With primary reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the caged seal assembly 32comprises a seal structure 40 which includes or is defined by aplurality of preferably two seal segments 44 and 46. The seal segments44 and 46 are disposable between a sealing orientation as represented inFIG. 3, and an open, separated, non-sealing orientation as representedin FIG. 4. As should be apparent, the sealing orientation of FIG. 3comprises the seal segments 44 and 46 being in a “closed” positionrelative to one another such that the seal segments 44 and 46collectively surround and establish sealing engagement with aninstrument passing into and through the central channel 50′.Accordingly, when the seal segments 44 and 46 are in a sealingorientation, the relatively closed positioning thereof allows the sealstructure 40 to function substantially the same as the schematicallyrepresented seal member disclosed in FIGS. 2A and 2B. However, theobvious distinguishing features are that the seal segments 44 and 46 areseparable and/or detachable from one another.

As set forth above, the caged seal assembly 32 may be used independentlyof the additional or supplementary seal assembly 34, 39. However, apreferred embodiment of the seal assembly 30 as represented in FIG. 2comprises a combination of the caged seal assembly 32 disposed insubstantially in-line relation with the supplementary seal assembly 34,39. However, when utilized separately or independently, the caged sealassembly 32 may define yet another preferred embodiment structured to beoperatively disposed in the housing 12 and/or 12′ or other appropriateportion of the trocar in order to establish the intended sealingengagement with an instrument passing therethrough.

Further, with regard to FIGS. 3 and 4, the caged seal assembly 32 alsoincludes a cage structure 47 comprising two cage segments 48 and 49.Each of the cage segments 48 and 49 are connected to different ones ofthe seal segments 44 and 46 such that movement of the seal segments 44and 46 corresponds with movement of the connected ones of the cagesegments 48 and 49. As represented in FIGS. 5A and 5B, each of the sealsegments 44 and 46 may be equivalently dimensioned, configured andstructured.

Accordingly, the physical description of one of the segments as at 44will be representative of both of the seal segments 44 and 46.Therefore, each of the seal segments includes or defines one half orother appropriate portion of the central channel as at 50′. However, theexterior of each of the seal segments 44 and 46 are cooperativelydimensioned and configured to facilitate the stable connection of acorresponding one of the cage segments 48 and 49.

More specifically, and as an example of one potential embodiment, theexterior portions of each of the seal segments 44 and 46 include acurvilinear groove or recessed portion 60 designed to receive and becomeinterconnected to an inwardly directed curvilinear flange 62 formed onthe interior surface of each of the cage segments 48 and 49. Therespective flanges 62 are dimensioned and configured to be receivedwithin and establish a firm, a stable connection with the groove 60.

Accordingly, both the cage segments 48 and 49 are connected to and movewith the corresponding seal segments 44 and 46, as the seal segments 44and 46 move between the sealing orientation of FIG. 3 and thenon-sealing orientation of FIG. 4.

FIGS. 6, 6A, and 6B disclose the details of a hinge structure generallyindicated as 66, which pivotally and/or removably connects the cagesegments 48 and 49. Accordingly, the hinge structure 66 allows relativemovement of the cage segments 48 and 49, along with corresponding onesof the seal segments 44 and 46, into and out of the sealing orientationof FIG. 3 and the non-sealing orientation of FIG. 4.

More specifically, in comparing the cage segments 48 and 49 asrepresented in FIGS. 6A, and 6B, the hinge structure 66 includes alocking or pivoting lug 68 and a receiving groove 69 formed on one ofthe cage segments 48. Both the lug 68 and the groove 69 are disposed anddimensioned to receive a corresponding groove and lug respectivelyformed on the opposite or cooperatively structured cage segment 49. Assuch, the cage segments 48 and 49 as well, as the seal segments 44 and46 connected thereto, can be disposed between the sealing orientation ofFIG. 3 and the non-sealing orientation of FIG. 4. Additional well knownhinge structures could also be used, employing hinge elements and hingepins as understood by those of skill in the art.

As set forth above, the non-sealing orientation of FIG. 4 is assumed bya “forced” opening or separation of the seal segments 44 and 46 aboutthe hinge structure 66 when a “large” instrument attempts to passthrough the caged seal assembly 32 as by passing through the centralchannel 50′.

Such a large instrument is generally defined as an instrument having alarger transverse or outer dimension than the predetermined dimensionalrange for which the caged seal assembly 32 was designed. As an example,this will probably be an instrument having an outer diameter larger thanabout 6 mm. although this should not be taken in a limiting sense.

Alternatively, and with primary reference to FIG. 8, another preferredembodiment of the caged seal assembly 32, which also may be incorporatedwithin the preferred embodiment of the seal assembly 30 of FIG. 2,comprises the caged structure 47′ including a plurality of preferablytwo cage segments 48 and 49 being integrally connected and/or formed asa one piece construction by virtue of an integral hinge structuregenerally indicated as 66′. More specifically, the hinge structure 66′is integrally connected to both of the cage segments 48 and 49 andintegrally formed with the cage structure 47′ as shown. While the cagesegments 48 and 49 are both formed from a substantially rigid material,the dimension and configuration of the integral hinge structure 66′ issuch as to facilitate the movable and/or pivotal interconnection of thecage segments 48 and 49 into and out of either the sealing orientationof FIG. 3 or the non-sealing orientation of FIG. 4. This integral hingestructure 66′ is and/or should be a viable alternative to the lug andgroove hinge structure 66, as described with reference to FIGS. 6, 6A,6B.

As set forth above, one structural and operative feature of the variouspreferred embodiments of the present invention, including the preferredembodiment represented in FIG. 2, is that the caged seal assembly 32 canbe said to be “automatically” disposable between the sealing orientationand the non-sealing orientation. More specifically, when a largerinstrument having a transverse dimension greater than the predetermineddimensional range for which the caged seal assembly 32 was designed isforced through the central channel 50′, the seal segments 44 and 46 willbe forced into a separated or open, non-sealing orientation asrepresented in FIG. 4. However upon the removal of the largerinstrument, the caged seal assembly 32 will automatically assume thesealing orientation of FIG. 3 due to the provision of a biasing assemblyassociated with each of the preferred embodiments of the caged assembly32.

More specifically, and in a first embodiment, the caged seal assembly 32includes the biasing assembly comprising a spring like biasing member.With primary reference to FIG. 3, the biasing member of at least oneembodiment of the biasing assembly comprises what may generally bereferred to as an O-ring. This elastic material bias or spring member 70is disposed within an annular or other curvilinear groove or channel 72formed on the exterior of each of the cage structures 47 and/or 47′ andmore specifically on each of the cage segments 48 and 49. While notclearly represented in FIG. 4, the biasing annularly configured O-ringtype of spring or biasing member 70 is of a one piece construction andis disposed in surrounding relation to the cage structure 47 or 47′.Upon an attempted or forced opening or separation of the cage segments48 and 49 so as to assume the non sealing orientation, the elasticspring or biasing member 70, will expand to the extent of allowing a“larger” instrument to pass through the central channel 50′ withoutundue drag or frictional resistance being applied thereto. However upona removal of the larger instrument, the spring or biasing member 70 willforce the cage segments 48 and 49 into the closed orientationrepresented in FIG. 3. Accordingly, the seal segments 44 and 46 willalso automatically be biased back into the sealing orientation of FIG.3. Therefore, it should be apparent that the dimension, configurationand disposition of the spring or biasing member 70, defining at leastone preferred embodiment of the biasing assembly is such as to normallybias the cage structure 47 into a closed position such that the sealsegments 44 and 46 assume the aforementioned sealing orientation.

Yet another preferred embodiment of the biasing assembly is shown indetail in FIG. 9 and is represented at least partially schematically inFIGS. 4 and 6. More specifically, the biasing assembly of the embodimentof FIGS. 4, 6 and 9 comprises a magnetic coupling includingcooperatively disposed and structured magnetic members 76 and 78. Themagnetic members 76 and 78 are disposed appropriately on each of thecage segments 48 and 49 as best represented in FIG. 4. Morespecifically, the magnetic members 76 and 78 are attracted to oneanother due to the proper structuring of their respective magneticpoles. As such, the disposition and structure of the cooperatingmagnetic members 76 and 78 are such as to normally bias the cagesegments 48 and 49 into a closed position such that the correspondingseal segments 44 and 46 are normally biased and eventually disposed intothe seal orienting position of FIG. 3. The strength of the cooperatingmagnetic member 76 and 78 are such as to continue to bias the cagesegments 48 and 49 into the closed position even when they are separatedor opened, such as when they are forced into the non sealing orientationof FIG. 4 by a large instrument passing through the caged seal assembly32. Therefore, the biasing assembly comprising the magnetic members 76and 78 can be said to find a magnetic coupling structure which normallybiases the caged structure 47 into a closed position such that the sealsegments 44 and 46 are normally biased into the sealing orientation. Thebiasing force is relatively weak when the seal structure is open. Theopposed magnets 76 and 78 provide a very strong biasing force when theseal structure is closed, which helps keep the seal from opening when alarger of a small set of instruments is inserted. When the seal isopened by insertion of a even larger instrument, the biasing force isweak, which helps keep the drag on larger instruments low.

Referring now to FIGS. 10-14, there is shown another preferredembodiment of a caged seal assembly, generally indicated as 80, inaccordance with the present invention. As before, the caged sealassembly 80 may be mounted in an appropriate portion of the trocarhousing 12′ and/or end portion 18′ and, when utilizing the caged sealassembly 80, various sealing components of the seal assembly 30 will besubstantially the same as represented in FIG. 2, at least to the extentthat the seal assembly 30 will be mounted along and at least partiallydefine the intended path of travel of an instrument as it passes intoand through the trocar 10 or 10′. Therefore, in this preferredembodiment, the seal assembly 30 includes the caged seal assembly 80which, as set forth above, may be used independently of, but preferablyin combination with, a supplementary seal assembly generally indicatedas 34, 39 in FIG. 2. Also similar to the embodiment of FIG. 2, thesupplementary seal assembly 34, 39 is movably or “floatingly” disposedalong the path of the instrument travel within the interior of acompartment or cavity, generally indicated as 35 of the trocar portion12′. As also described above, the structuring of the seal component 39of the supplementary seal assembly 34 is such as to accommodate asignificantly larger dimensional range of medical instruments than thatof the caged seal assembly 80.

As a result, the cooperative structuring of the caged seal assembly 80and the supplementary seal assembly 34 is to accommodate instruments ofdifferent dimensional ranges thereby adding to the operative versatilityand functioning of the seal assembly 30 whether the caged seal assembly80 or 32 is utilized. Moreover, because of this specific in-linealignment, the caged seal assembly 80 and the supplementary sealassembly 34 may be considered to be at least partially or temporarilydisposable in co-axial alignment with one another and with the centrallongitudinal axis of the housing of the trocar 12′ and/or end portion18′. This partially or at least temporarily disposed co-axial alignmentis possible even though both of the supplementary seal assembly 34 andthe caged seal assembly 80 are movable in a floating manner as describedin greater detail in the aforesaid currently pending U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/375,540 and U.S. Pat. No. 7,011,314 B2 to theinventor herein.

Accordingly, structural details specifically associated with theadditional preferred embodiment of the caged seal assembly 80 arerepresented in FIGS. 10-14, wherein the caged seal assembly includes acage structure comprising a plurality of preferably two cage segments 82and 84, as well as a plurality of two seal segments 86 and 88. Forpurposes of clarity, the embodiments of the caged seal assembly 80 asrepresented in FIGS. 12-14 are only partially assembled, therebyfacilitating the detailed description of each of the cage segments 82and 84, as well as their corresponding seal segments 86 and 88.

As with the embodiment of FIG. 3, each of the cage segments 82 and 84are movably connected to one another by a hinge assembly 66, describedin greater detail in FIGS. 6, 6A, 6B. Moreover, the hinge 66 may includethe lug 68, 68′ and groove 69, 69′ construction, or alternately mayinclude the integral hinge 66′ as represented in FIG. 8, or a hinge-pindesign. Regardless of the specific hinge or like coupling structure 66or 66′ utilized, the cage segments 82 and 84, as well as thecorresponding seal segments 86 and 88, are movable relative to oneanother between a closed, sealing orientation similar to the sealingorientation of the embodiment of FIG. 3 and/or an open, non-sealingorientation as represented in FIG. 10.

Also present in the embodiment of the caged seal assembly 32 asrepresented in FIG. 3, the caged seal assembly 80 includes a biasingassembly connected to or otherwise associated with one or both of thecage segments 86 and 88. More specifically, the biasing assembly mayassume the equivalent structure of a biasing member in the form of anannular member or “O-ring” formed of a sufficiently elastic material toallow the cage segments 82 and 84 and their corresponding seal segments86 and 88 to be forced into an at least minimally open, non-sealingorientation. The biasing member 70 is secured to both of the cagesegments 82 and 84 by being disposed within a plurality of spaced apartslots or grooves 72 which collectively form a retaining channel or likestructure in which the biasing spring or member 70 may be secured.Metallic spring member of various designs could also be incorporated.

Alternatively and/or in combination with the spring-like biasing member70, the biasing assembly may also include a magnetic coupling includingmagnetic coupling components 76′ and 78′ similar to those described indetail with the above noted caged seal assembly 32 as with specificreference to FIGS. 4 and 9.

This embodiment of the caged seal assembly 80 includes the provision ofa guide assembly, and preferably, a guide assembly defined by aplurality of preferably two guide segments 90 and 92. In thisembodiment, as illustrated, each of the guide segments 90 and 92 aredefined by integral or fixed portions of corresponding ones of cagesegments 82 and 84. Further, the guide segments 90 and 92 are formedfrom a plastic or other appropriate material having a predetermined,sufficient degree of rigidity so as to facilitate the guiding of aninstrument as it enters the caged seal assembly 80 and passes throughthe sealing portions 94 and 96 of the respective seal segments 86 and88. More specifically, the at least partially rigid material from whichthe guide segments 90 and 92 are formed are also sufficiently rigid toprevent the cutting, gauging, penetration or other serious deformationof the exposed surfaces of the guide portions 90 and 92. Thispredetermined degree of rigidity further facilitates the efficientpositioning or manipulation of the instrument passing into and throughthe caged seal assembly 80 by preventing or at least significantlyrestricting the tendency of the leading end of the instrument fromindenting or otherwise being caught or “hung-up” on the interior of thecage assembly prior to it entering the sealing portions 94 and 96.

In contrast, it should be appreciated that the material from whichsealing segments 86 and 88 and in particular the sealing portions 94 and96 thereof are sufficiently flexible and/or resilient to establish anefficient, reliable sealing engagement with the outer surfaces of theinstrument when the caged seal assembly 80 is in the closed or sealingorientation as represented with the embodiment of FIG. 3.

As set forth in detail above, and as more fully described hereinafter,the dimension and configuration of the sealing segments 86 and 88 and inparticular the respective sealing portions 94 and 96, when the cagedseal assembly 80 is in the closed or sealing orientation is such as toallow the passage therethrough of instruments having a size which issubstantially within a “predetermined dimensional range.” When aninstrument falling within this predetermined dimensional range passesthrough the caged seal assembly 80 when the caged seal assembly is inthe closed or sealing orientation, the sealing portions 94 and 96 arecooperatively disposed, configured and structured to substantiallysurround the passing instrument and establish a substantially fluidtight seal with the outer surfaces thereof.

Accordingly, the versatility of the seal assembly which incorporatesboth the caged seal assembly 80 and the supplementary seal assembly 34is significantly enhanced by the virtue of the establishment of sealingengagement with the exterior surface of instruments having various sizespassing through the trocar 12′, wherein the various sized instrumentsmay have relatively small or relatively large dimensions. As emphasizedabove with the embodiment of FIGS. 2 and 3, the caged seal assembly 80may be structured to establish sealing engagement with relatively smallinstruments such as, but not limited to, a dimensional range ofgenerally about 3 mm to generally about 5 mm. However, during atypicallaparoscopic surgical procedure the medical personnel may require theneed or use of a significantly larger instrument such as, but notlimited to, the dimensional range of generally about 9 mm to generally15 mm. Utilization of a larger instrument having a dimensional rangesubstantially larger than that intended for use with the caged sealassembly 80 would normally cause a significant drag or frictionalengagement between the instrument and the sealing portions 94 and 96.This could possibly cause difficulty or inaccuracies as the instrumentis manipulated by the medical personnel.

Problems of this type are overcome by the provision of the supplementaryseal assembly 34 and the ability of the caged seal assembly 80 to“automatically” assume the non-sealing orientation or open orientationwhen a larger instrument outside of the aforementioned predetermineddimensional range is utilized. Moreover, supplementary seal assembly 34is disposed, dimensioned and configured to establish sealing engagementwith an instrument having the larger dimensional range such as, but notlimited to, the aforementioned 10 mm to 15 mm range. Accordingly when alarger instrument is passed through the trocar 12′, sealing engagementis established between the supplementary seal assembly 34 and the largerinstrument. Further, when the larger instrument passes into and throughthe caged seal assembly 80, cooperatively structuring and dispositionbetween the cage segments 82 and 84 and the biasing assembly, in itsvarious embodiments, will allow an opening or separation of the two sealsegments 86 and 88 and more specifically, an opening or a separation ofthe sealing portions 94 and 96 associated therewith. As such, thepassage of the larger instrument will cause or “force” the two sealingportions 94 and 96 and their associated seal segments 86 and 88 out ofthe normal closed or sealing orientation. In addition, the provision ofthe guide segments 90 and 92 will further facilitate the passage of aninstrument through the caged seal assembly 80, regardless of its sizesuch that sealing of the instrument, passing through the caged sealassembly 80 will occur either by sealing engagement with thesupplementary seal 34 or the caged seal assembly 80 and morespecifically the sealing portions 94 and 96.

It should further be recognized that there may be a dimensional range ofinstruments that may be sealed by both the caged seal assembly 80 andthe supplementary sealed assembly 34. The further regard to the examplesdescribed herein the dimensional range of such instruments would besomewhat larger than generally about 5 mm and somewhat smaller thangenerally about 10 mm.

Yet additional structural features clearly represented in FIGS. 10-14which facilitate a firm, stable yet removable attachment of therespective seal segments 86 and 88 to corresponding ones of the cagedsegments 82 and 84 include an elongated, somewhat curved opening oraperture formed in each of the cage segments 82 and 84. These aperturesare disposed, dimensioned and configured to receive outer or exteriorportions of respective ones of the sealing portions 94 and 96. Inaddition, each of the cage segments 82 and 84 include oppositelydisposed, spaced apart curvilinear flanges as at 100 and 102. Each ofthe flanges 100 and 102 of the respective seal segments 86 and 88 arecooperatively dimensioned and configured to receive curvilinear flanges104 of the seal segments 86 and 88 in receiving relation to outersurfaces thereof. Further, the curvilinear flanges 100, 102, and 104 ofthe respective seal segments 84 and 86 are disposed, dimensioned andstructured to establish a substantially fluid tight seal withcorrespondingly positioned interior surface portions of the trocar 12′.

In addition, each of the seal segments 86 and 88 include end panels 110and 112 which are disposed in confronting, sealing engagement with oneanother when the caged seal assembly 80 is in the closed, sealingorientation. The cooperative disposition, configuration and dimension ofthe panels 110 and 112 of each of the sealing segments 86 and 88facilitate the sealing portions 94 and 96 forming a fluid tight sealabout the exterior surface of an appropriately sized instrument passingthrough the caged seal assembly 80.

Additional structural features of the caged seal assembly 80 includeeach of the guide sections 90 and 92 having an outer end 116 locatedadjacent to and/or contiguous with the entrance end 118 of the cagedseal assembly 80, as best represented in FIG. 11. In addition, each ofthe guide segments 90 and 92 have a convergent configuration as theyextend inwardly into an inner end 120. The inner ends 120 of each of theguide segments 90 and 92 are disposed adjacent to or immediatelycontiguous with the corresponding sealing portions 94 and 96. As such,non-interruptive passage of the instrument may be facilitated as itfirst engages one or both of the guide portions 90 and 92 and as itproceeds into a directed travel into and through the sealing portions 94and 96 of the corresponding seal segments 86 and 88.

With further reference to FIG. 11, it is noted that the sealing portions94 and 96 are located at a substantially midpoint location between theentrance end 118 and the exit end 118′ of the corresponding cagesegments 82 and 84. This midpoint location of the sealing segments 94and 96 provides a symmetry which may facilitate manufacture and/orassembly in that the respective seal segments 86 and 88 may be placedwithin their cage segments 82 and 84 in either orientation such that theguide portions 90, 92 or 90′, 92′ may be disposed adjacent to what maybe considered the entrance end 118 of the caged seal assembly 80.

However, in certain additional modifications contemplated within thespirit and scope of the present invention the sealing portions 94 and 96may be off center and not at a midpoint location such as being closer tothe exit end 118′. However, one possible disadvantage with this nonsymmetrical configuration would be requirement of a more detailedassembly such that the guide portions 90 and 92 would be locatedadjacent to or contiguous with the entrance end 118 and the guideportions 90′, 92′ would be located adjacent to and contiguous with theexit end 118′ of the respective cage segments 82 and 84.

FIGS. 15-17 illustrate perspective views of an embodiment of a biasingassembly for use in a cage seal assembly. Biasing member 122 is disposedbetween cage segment 82 and cage segment 84 of an embodiment of a cagedseal assembly 130. The biasing member 122 is disposed such that when aninstrument passing into the central channel 50′ causes the centralchannel 50′ to expand, the biasing member 122 allows the cage segments82 and 84 to expand to allow the instrument to pass. Upon removal of theinstrument the biasing member 122 also expands and will force the cagesegments 82 and 84 back into a closed configuration. The biasing member122 can be formed from an elastomeric material or any other materialthat has elastic properties, and includes respective ends 124 and 126 asshown in FIG. 16. Biasing member 122 is positioned to hold the sealstructure mating faces closed and assures that hinge members 66 and/or66′ remain engaged during seal opening and closing. Upon insertion of alarge instrument, the seal first opens at the magnet side, hinging at 66and/or 66′. Biasing means 122 is strong enough to bring the seal halvesback into the sealed position after removing larger instruments even ifmagnetic biasing is not present.

The many features and advantages of the invention are apparent from thedetailed specification, and thus, it is intended by the appended claimsto cover all such features and advantages of the invention which fallwithin the true spirit and scope of the invention. Further, sincenumerous modifications and variations will readily occur to thoseskilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to theexact construction and operation illustrated and described, andaccordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resortedto, falling within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A seal assembly structured to establish sealingengagement with differently dimensioned instruments passing through atrocar, the seal assembly comprising: a caged seal assembly movablydisposed within the trocar in receiving relation to an instrumentpassing therethrough, said caged seal assembly including at least twoseal segments disposable into and out of a sealing orientation relativeto the instrument, said caged seal assembly dimensioned and configuredto establish sealing engagement with instruments within a predetermineddimensional range; and a cage structure including at least two cagesegments each connected to a different one of said seal segments, abiasing assembly connected to said cage structure and disposed andstructured to normally bias said seal segments into said sealingorientation, and said cage structure and said biasing assemblycooperatively structured to dispose said seal segments out of saidsealing orientation upon passage therethrough of an instrument sizedgreater than said predetermined dimensional range, wherein said biasingassembly comprises an elastic member interconnected to and between saidcage segments, said elastic member expandable and at least partiallymovable with said cage segments as said seal segments are disposed fromsaid sealing orientation into a non-sealing orientation, and whereinsaid elastic member comprises an annular configuration disposed insurrounding relation to said cage structure.
 2. The seal assembly ofclaim 1, further comprising a hinge portion pivotably coupling the atleast two seal segments to separate two of the seal segments.
 3. Theseal assembly of claim 1, wherein the elastic member comprises aresilient bar positioned at least in part of each of the at least twoseal segments.
 4. The seal assembly of claim 1, further comprising amagnet located in two of the seal segments.
 5. The seal assembly ofclaim 1, wherein the trocar includes an end portion which enables the atleast two seal segments to move radially.
 6. The seal assembly of claim5, wherein the end portion is configured to prevent the seal segmentsfrom moving axially.
 7. The seal assembly of claim 1, further comprisinga second seal structure spaced axially apart from the seal segments. 8.The seal assembly of claim 7, wherein the second seal structure is fixedin place.